Homeopathy as an alternative to antibiotics

Today, on April 1, Prof. Dr. med. Michael Frass, Medical University of Vienna, speaking in the European Parliament about homeopathy as an alternative to antibiotics. Read his summary here:

01/04/2014

The problem of antibiotics is on the one hand the increasing resistance to germs, on the other hand, the underlying problem of infection, namely the restoration of the terrain is not reached. Another problem is that, for example, 90 percent of all upper respiratory tract infections are virus-related, yet 75 percent of all antibiotics are prescribed for upper respiratory infections. Several studies in homeopathy show on the one hand that homeopathy is at least equivalent to antibiotics and on the other hand that homeopathy is effective in diseases that are usually treated with antibiotics.

Scientific research on the use of homeopathy as an alternative to antibiotics has been carried out mainly for infections of the respiratory tract and middle ear infections. An international observational study of 500 patients with upper or lower respiratory complaints or ear complaints showed that 83 percent of patients with homeopathy experienced an improvement, as opposed to 68 percent with conventional medication. Also, the homeopathically treated patients had a faster relief of discomfort (67.3 percent) than the conventionally treated (56.6 percent). Several randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trials of 100 to 200 patients demonstrate the effectiveness of homeopathy in conditions that are usually treated with antibiotics, such as acute or chronic sinusitis, bronchitis and otitis media. (Pm)

Study summary:
• Riley D, Fisher M, Sigh B, Haidvogl M, Heger M (2001). Homeopathy and conventional medicine: An outcomes study comparing effectiveness in a primary care setting. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 7: 149-159

• Friese K-H, Zabalotnyi DI (2007). Homeopathy in acute rhinosinusitis. A double-blind, placebo controlled study shows the efficacy and tolerability of a homeopathic remedy remedy. ENT 55: 271-277

• Weiser M, Clasen B (1994). Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of the clinical efficacy of the homeopathic Euphorbium compositum-S nasal spray in cases of chronic sinusitis. Research Complementary Medicine, 1: 251-259

• Diefenbach M, Schilken J, Steiner G, Becker HJ (1997). Homeopathic therapy in respiratory tract diseases. Evaluation of a clinical study in 258 patients. Journal of General Medicine, 73: 308-314

• Zabolotnyi DI, Kneis KC, Richardson A, Rettenberger R, Heger M, Kaszkin-Bettag M, Heger PW (2007). Efficacy of a complex homeopathic medication (sinfrontal) in patients with acute maxillary sinusitis: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial. Explore (NY), 3: 98-109

• Iris R. Bell, MD, PhD, USA; Nancy N. Boyer, RN, NP, PA-C, USA (2013). Homeopathic Medications as Clinical Alternatives for Symptomatic Care of Acute Otitis Media and Upper Respiratory Infections in Children. Glob Adv Health Med.; 2 (1): 32-43.